Tower of London marks World War I with dramatic poppy display

Updated 7:51 AM ET, Wed August 6, 2014

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

A blood red field – The Tower of London is marking the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War I with a dramatic art installation using thousands of ceramic poppies surrounding the battlements. Poppies have long been used as a symbol to remember those killed in conflict, particularly during the two world wars that consumed Europe during the last century.

Hide Caption

1 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

Outbreak of war – Around 888,246 ceramic poppies are being "planted" in the dry moat surrounding the Tower of London in an installation created by artist Paul Cummins. One poppy is being planted for each of the British military personnel who perished in the conflict, which began in August 1914.

Hide Caption

2 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

Power of flowers – The moving tribute to Britain's military casualties is due to be completed by November 11, 2014 -- the day that commemorates the anniversary of the 1918 cease-fire on the conflict's Western Front and those who perished.

Hide Caption

3 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

Poppy purchases – The ceramic poppies are on sale for collection when the installation comes to an end in November. Each flower will retail for £25 ($42).

Hide Caption

4 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

Raising funds – A percentage of money raised from the sale of the poppies will be divided among six UK military charities.

Hide Caption

5 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

Guard of honor – Crawford Butler, center, the longest serving Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London, poses here with the first poppy to be planted at the installation. Work on the project began on July 17, 2014.

Hide Caption

6 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

'Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red' – The artwork is called: "Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red." Cummins collaborated with stage designer Tom Piper to come up with the concept.

Hide Caption

7 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

'Stock brokers battalion' – The Tower of London has been chosen as a location for the tribute partly because of the role the landmark played during the conflict. During the war, the tower's moat was used to swear in over 1,600 men who had enlisted shortly after war broke out. Because the recruitment station was close to London's financial district, the 10th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was known as the "stock brokers battalion."

Hide Caption

8 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

'In Flanders Fields' – The poppy display reflects the flower's long association with battlefields because they are known to thrive on earth disturbed by conflict. The symbolism was consolidated in the poem "In Flanders Fields" by Canadian military surgeon and artillery commander John McCrae.

Hide Caption

9 of 10

WWI anniversary: Sea of poppies floods Tower of London10 photos

In remembrance – The display is set to open to the public on August 5. They can be viewed outside the landmark on the bank of the River Thames. The nearest metro station is Tower Hill.